20 Facts You Should Know About Khalid
The low down on the hottest new R&B singer of 2017.
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1. What's Khalid's full name?
It’s Khalid (pronounced Kuh-leed, not kah-leed) Robinson. And his first name means ‘eternal’
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2. What was Khalid’s first hit?
His very first single, ‘Location’, was released in August 2016 when he was just 18, hit no.2 in the US R&B charts.
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3. How old is Khalid?
He was born in Georgia, USA on February 11, 1998. So he’s currently 19.
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4. What’s Khalid’s debut album?
His debut album ‘American Teen’ was released on March 3, 2017. It climbed to no.9 on the US charts.
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5. What inspired ‘Location’?
Khalid wrote ‘Location’ to try and impress a girl. Sadly it didn’t work out and they don’t even talk anymore!
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6. What’s Khalid’s link with Kylie Jenner?
Kylie Jenner played ‘Location’ on her Snapchat, which happened on the same day Khalid graduated high school (not a bad day then), and gave his song a huge boost.
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7. Khalid has been compared to some amazing artists.
We’re getting early Frank Ocean vibes from his music, but the New York Times has also compared his style to The Weeknd’s early mixtape and the UK’s own Sampha.
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8. Which big names has Khalid collaborated with?
He’s performed uncredited vocals for Kendrick Lamar’s ‘The Heart Part 4’ and appeared on Calvin Harris’s ‘Rollin’ with Future.
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9. He’s been award nominated already.
Khalid was nominated for the Best New Artist at the 2017 BET awards (he lost out to Chance the Rapper).
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10. Who are Khalid’s influences?
Frank Ocean and Chance have inspired him and he’s also into pop act like Lorde. But he says his biggest influence is his mother (awwww).
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11. He has a musical background.
His mother was a singer, but rejected a chance for a music career so she could have a stable job in the army and provide for Khalid as a single mother.
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12. He moved around a lot as a child.
Khalid’s mother job with the army meant they frequently moved, which saw the them live in Kentucky, New York and even Germany.
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13. Khalid revealed what drives him.
When he started putting his music out someone on Soundcloud said they “hated” it. He says this keeps him motivated to work and prove people wrong.
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14. Khalid calls El Paso home.
He moved to El Paso, Texas a few years ago and says that’s where he was “born creatively”.
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15. He’s already met some incredible people!
On his Instagram he’s got snaps with Kendrick Lamar, Ice Cube, Kelly Rowlands, Travis Scott, Lil Yachty - and even Elton John!
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16. How can you follow Khalid?
Get Khalid on Twitter @thegreatkhalid and Instagram @thegr8khalid
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17. Lil Wayne remixed ‘Location’.
Weezy and Khelani got together to remix Khalid’s biggest hit to date.
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18. Khalid always starts writing his songs the same way.
He comes up with a melody first and then does the lyrics later - but he admits he can’t play any instruments.
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19. Khalid has played in the UK.
He travelled to the UK in February this year to play an intimate show in London. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for more dates!
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20. Khalid is a big Fleetwood Mac fan.
He’s professed his love for the 70s rockers and says ‘Dreams’ is “hands down” one of his favourite albums.
